HC Deb 05 August 1976 vol 916 cc2098-100
1. Mr. Shepherd

asked the Minister of Agrirculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has plans to ensure that in the current year there will be an adequate supply of potatoes for the consumer.

5. Mr. David James

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that in the current year there will be adequate supplies of potatoes for the consumer.

24. Mrs. Wise

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the current potato acreage.

The Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. E. S. Bishop)

I am happy to say that 1976 crop plantings by registered producers in Great Britain are estimated at 195,000 hectares —or 482,000 acres—and thus have met the target area. Had growing conditions been normal, this area would have been sufficient to provide ample supplies of potatoes. However, although the crop was planted in ideal growing conditions, the hot, dry weather has affected growth in the main producing areas. It is too early yet to make a firm assessment of the overall supply position for the season, but we shall keep the situation under constant review.

Mr. Shepherd

Will the Minister accept that the steps which he has already taken with regard to imports and exports will be generally quite well accepted throughout the country, but will he recognise none the less that the poor yields in Northern Europe will cause tremendous demands on third countries and hence have the effect of forcing up prices? Second, will he recognise that the guaranteed price of £42 per ton which was set in March this year is likely to be inadequate to tempt growers into a full uptake of the acreage quota next year, and will he take steps accordingly now?

Mr. Bishop

I understand the hon. Gentleman's concern about the position elsewhere. He will recall that at the time of grave shortage in this country last year we were helped to some extent by imports from overseas, including some from areas in which the supply was then not satisfactory. However, as the hon. Gentleman acknowledges, we are keeping on the present controls, banning the export of potatoes and lifting the ban on imports until the position can be reviewed. As regards the price settled following the annual review, I think that the fact that we have the acreage which we wanted is some indication of the confidence which the price levels have given.

Mrs. Wise

Will my hon. Friend keep closely in mind that potatoes are twice as important in the budgets of pensioners as they are in the budget of the general population, and that people in the low-income groups depend very much upon potatoes for their vitamin C intake? Further, will he take it that we on this side will at no stage hold him or his Department responsible for the weather, and we shall resist attempts which undoubtedly will be made by the Opposition to do just that? Finally, is it not a fact that the prices being paid to farmers were considerably uprated this year in order to meet their demands last year?

Mr. Bishop

I appreciate my hon. Friend's concern, especially regarding the price of potatoes in the past year and its effect on pensioners. We pointed out at that time that there were alternatives, and I recall saying that many of us would benefit from not eating too many potatoes. However, I recognise that pensioners have found that the cost of potatoes has borne rather heavily upon them. As regards the general position, some people may be inclined to think that we ought to plant many more potatoes. Perhaps I should say, in response to my hon. Friend's Question No. 24, that plantings by the registered producers in Great Britain are estimated to be 15,000 hectares greater than they were last year, and it is interesting to note that the downward trend in plantings in recent years has now been reversed.

Mr. Ward

Is my lion. Friend discussing with the Indian Government and their export agencies the possibility of further imports into this country from India? Is he particularly discussing with them the question of quality and the condition in which those potatoes arrive in this country?

Mr. Bishop

I agree with my hon. Friend about the importance of getting potatoes from alternative sources. He will recall that in the last year we have been looking for potato supplies from many places around the world. However, we must be quite sure that our plant health regulations are complied with. Plant health restrictions are very important to us. I do not wish to risk trouble for our home crop, which in recent years has been very important.